ADAM TEICHER:Rookie linemen struggle to demonstrate they’re not a bust - Page 11

**Tribal Warfare** · 12-15-2007, 05:07 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/404419.html

Rookie linemen struggle to demonstrate they’re not a bust
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Filled with youthful exuberance shortly after signing his contract last summer, defensive lineman Tank Tyler promised he would spend his rookie season “busting heads” of Chiefs opponents.

That hasn’t happened for Tyler, a third-round draft pick, or fellow rookie defensive lineman Turk McBride, a second-round pick. Nothing unusual about that. Rookie defensive linemen tend to be the ones with the busted heads.

But Tyler and McBride have been so undistinguished the Chiefs quietly fear that neither will ever become a consistently productive player or even a dependable starter.

“I’m not satisfied,” said Tyler, who was speaking for himself but could have been talking for McBride, too. “It’s been more of a learning experience than I thought it would be. It’s a big step into the NFL. I want to be a star, but I also understand I’ve got a lot to learn and that I’ve got a ways to go.

“I wouldn’t take the season back. I wish we would have won some more games, but there’s been a lot of learning going on, too.”

The Chiefs drafted McBride to help ease the tremendous pressure on starting defensive ends Jared Allen and Tamba Hali. They were hopeful McBride would be ready to start the season’s first two games when Allen was unavailable because of an NFL suspension.

He wasn’t ready, and Jimmy Wilkerson started instead.

McBride plays at tackle in obvious passing situations but hasn’t relieved Allen or Hali much at end. Some of the reserve snaps that should have gone to McBride last week were given to Khreem Smith, who was recently promoted from the practice squad.

“This year was just the foundation,” McBride said. “I learned so much. Next year, I’ll be able to do more. I’ll have everything down. Right now, it seems like I’m hesitating when I get out there.

“It’s an extremely long season. It just seems like it will never end. Counting the preseason, there’s seven more games than we had in college. Practices are a lot more intense.”

Tyler also has relieved starting tackles Ron Edwards and Alfonso Boone as much as the Chiefs had hoped. He has just three tackles and was even inactive for one game against Green Bay last month.

The Chiefs were so disappointed in Tyler early in the season that veteran linebacker Donnie Edwards dragged him into the video room, popped in footage of Tyler busting Minnesota heads at a joint training camp practice and said, “What happened to this player?”

“They’re coming,” coach Herm Edwards said in a less-than-glowing endorsement. “They’re doing all right.

“It takes a while for guys at those positions to understand and to get better. But they’re a lot better than they were early in the season.

“We anticipated they might struggle some in the middle of the season, and they got their second wind now and they’re playing better. Going into next season, they’ll be better. They’re playing some in almost every game.”

But not as much as the Chiefs anticipated. Asked whether this was a reflection on their lack of progress, Edwards said, “It’s because the games have been so close. We feel like we can’t allow teams to have one or two big plays on us. You get nervous about that some.

“You wish those guys could have more snaps. It just seems like every series is a crucial series. It’s not like we’re playing with a big lead.”

There’s danger for the Chiefs in giving up on McBride and Tyler too soon, and they show no indication they will. Many a struggling rookie defensive lineman has gone on to become a dependable player, so it’s premature to call them the latest in a string of failed Chiefs defensive-line draft picks.

But the Chiefs would prefer to see them start to play aggressively sooner rather than later.

“I feel like I’ve had the opportunity a couple of times to bust some heads,” Tyler said. “I have my plays here and there. But there have been some negative plays, too. I plan on busting more of them next year and next game, too.”

Mecca · 12-15-2007, 04:58 PM

They traded because the only player they really liked was Meriweather and they got him.....they didn't consider it that good of a draft......for where they had picks...

When they had high picks they made good picks on Seymour and Ty Warren and built their Dline. The Pats don't trade back just to trade back they trade back if they don't value any of the players......I'm sorry at 4 or 5 you can't say you don't "value" those players...

If the Pats trade back this year it will be because they got a ton, or they'll stand in the spot and take Chris Long...

JohnnyV13 · 12-15-2007, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

If you are gonna play this cover 2 shit and well any defense now, you need at least 1 DT that can pass rush and get in the backfield...Ellis is that. He isn't a take up blockers guy, he's a make plays guy...

Don't get me started on Sims, that was an example of the Chiefs moron organization and Vermiel buying into Buntinng and the scouts being stupid. Everyone knew before that draft Henderson was widely regarded as the best guy...then we take Sims. That pick pissed me off to no end.

Aren't you being slightly revisionist here? Early on, Henderson was generally considered the top pick. Later, Sims started moving up the draft boards. The Chiefs weren't the only team that had him rated as the top DT pick. so did Minnesota (at least).

Henderson dropped due to concerns about a congenital spinal defect. (It hasn't seemed to bother him). Haynesworth was considered the most athletically gifted DT prospect, but that he had character issues.

**Tribal Warfare** · 12-15-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by findthedr

who is the ALL world stud? and who are the two avg players?

Answer the question, who would you want with those traded picks?

Mecca · 12-15-2007, 05:02 PM

And the Chiefs thought Henderson was to tall.....

A guy like Sims draws flags from me right away..he played next to a great player, he wasn't the best his team mate was.......

Not to mention he moved up after the season ended...to me playing means more than workouts unless some guy has a huge red flag like being overly slow.

CupidStunt · 12-15-2007, 05:04 PM

This thread:

Hammock Parties · 12-15-2007, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by findthedr

Who is available and what picks do i get?

since you didnt provide that info I will say Michael Oher and Phil Loadholt.

And since neither will likely come out this year, who then?

**Tribal Warfare** · 12-15-2007, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by findthedr

Who is available and what picks do i get?

since you didnt provide that info I will say Michael Oher and Phil Loadholt.

deflection

Halfcan · 12-15-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el borracho

Have Turk and Tank done anything to this point to justify their draft selection? If we have a chance at a top DT next April we should take him.

I agree-these were dumb picks to start with. Maybe the Chiefs should buy a couple of draft magazines next year-so they know drafting a guy in the 2nd round that was ranked in the 6th round is not a good idea.

Messier · 12-15-2007, 06:07 PM

No! No more chasing DT's. Lets' see what Tyler can do in his second year. Dt's many times grow into their roles. Hanesworth sucked for almost four years before the light went on. No. Boone is a good DT and we can look for more in FA, but a DT taken in the 1st round will be a wasted pick IMO.

FAX · 12-15-2007, 06:11 PM

Ouch. When asked about lack of PT for the rookies, Herm allows, "It’s because the games have been so close. We feel like we can’t allow teams to have one or two big plays on us. You get nervous about that some."

I ask you. Is that a "rebuilding" mentality?

FAX

**Tribal Warfare** · 12-15-2007, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Messier

No! No more chasing DT's. Lets' see what Tyler can do in his second year. Dt's many times grow into their roles. Hanesworth sucked for almost four years before the light went on. No. Boone is a good DT and we can look for more in FA, but a DT taken in the 1st round will be a wasted pick IMO.

BPA, if it's a DT then you pick that player.

ChiefsCountry · 12-15-2007, 08:18 PM

Wow this thread is freaking hilarous. Those who dont think we need a DT are basically blind. A DT will be a better selection in the top 5 more than likely and its position of need heck outside of hmm maybe running back we need BPA. Tank has a chance to be a good DT, but I think McBride is going to be a John Browning type.

siberian khatru · 12-15-2007, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

And the Chiefs thought Henderson was to tall.....

A guy like Sims draws flags from me right away..he played next to a great player, he wasn't the best his team mate was.......

Not to mention he moved up after the season ended...to me playing means more than workouts unless some guy has a huge red flag like being overly slow.

The Force was strong with John Bunting.

MadMax · 12-15-2007, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

Ouch. When asked about lack of PT for the rookies, Herm allows, "It’s because the games have been so close. We feel like we can’t allow teams to have one or two big plays on us. You get nervous about that some."

I ask you. Is that a "rebuilding" mentality?

FAX

That is the reeruned mentality that is Herm

and Carl.. When they failed to eek out a couple more wins they immediately went into the " but we are rebuilding defense " Whatta couple of freakin losers!!! Oh yea and we need to " get over it "

!

MadMax · 12-15-2007, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by findthedr

where did you read Turk was ranked in the 6th rnd?

Mad Magazine

12-15-2007, 05:07 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $952813	ADAM TEICHER:Rookie linemen struggle to demonstrate they’re not a bust http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/404419.html Rookie linemen struggle to demonstrate they’re not a bust By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Filled with youthful exuberance shortly after signing his contract last summer, defensive lineman Tank Tyler promised he would spend his rookie season “busting heads” of Chiefs opponents. That hasn’t happened for Tyler, a third-round draft pick, or fellow rookie defensive lineman Turk McBride, a second-round pick. Nothing unusual about that. Rookie defensive linemen tend to be the ones with the busted heads. But Tyler and McBride have been so undistinguished the Chiefs quietly fear that neither will ever become a consistently productive player or even a dependable starter. “I’m not satisfied,” said Tyler, who was speaking for himself but could have been talking for McBride, too. “It’s been more of a learning experience than I thought it would be. It’s a big step into the NFL. I want to be a star, but I also understand I’ve got a lot to learn and that I’ve got a ways to go. “I wouldn’t take the season back. I wish we would have won some more games, but there’s been a lot of learning going on, too.” The Chiefs drafted McBride to help ease the tremendous pressure on starting defensive ends Jared Allen and Tamba Hali. They were hopeful McBride would be ready to start the season’s first two games when Allen was unavailable because of an NFL suspension. He wasn’t ready, and Jimmy Wilkerson started instead. McBride plays at tackle in obvious passing situations but hasn’t relieved Allen or Hali much at end. Some of the reserve snaps that should have gone to McBride last week were given to Khreem Smith, who was recently promoted from the practice squad. “This year was just the foundation,” McBride said. “I learned so much. Next year, I’ll be able to do more. I’ll have everything down. Right now, it seems like I’m hesitating when I get out there. “It’s an extremely long season. It just seems like it will never end. Counting the preseason, there’s seven more games than we had in college. Practices are a lot more intense.” Tyler also has relieved starting tackles Ron Edwards and Alfonso Boone as much as the Chiefs had hoped. He has just three tackles and was even inactive for one game against Green Bay last month. The Chiefs were so disappointed in Tyler early in the season that veteran linebacker Donnie Edwards dragged him into the video room, popped in footage of Tyler busting Minnesota heads at a joint training camp practice and said, “What happened to this player?” “They’re coming,” coach Herm Edwards said in a less-than-glowing endorsement. “They’re doing all right. “It takes a while for guys at those positions to understand and to get better. But they’re a lot better than they were early in the season. “We anticipated they might struggle some in the middle of the season, and they got their second wind now and they’re playing better. Going into next season, they’ll be better. They’re playing some in almost every game.” But not as much as the Chiefs anticipated. Asked whether this was a reflection on their lack of progress, Edwards said, “It’s because the games have been so close. We feel like we can’t allow teams to have one or two big plays on us. You get nervous about that some. “You wish those guys could have more snaps. It just seems like every series is a crucial series. It’s not like we’re playing with a big lead.” There’s danger for the Chiefs in giving up on McBride and Tyler too soon, and they show no indication they will. Many a struggling rookie defensive lineman has gone on to become a dependable player, so it’s premature to call them the latest in a string of failed Chiefs defensive-line draft picks. But the Chiefs would prefer to see them start to play aggressively sooner rather than later. “I feel like I’ve had the opportunity a couple of times to bust some heads,” Tyler said. “I have my plays here and there. But there have been some negative plays, too. I plan on busting more of them next year and next game, too.”
Posts: 42,032

12-15-2007, 04:58 PM	#151
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2657050	They traded because the only player they really liked was Meriweather and they got him.....they didn't consider it that good of a draft......for where they had picks... When they had high picks they made good picks on Seymour and Ty Warren and built their Dline. The Pats don't trade back just to trade back they trade back if they don't value any of the players......I'm sorry at 4 or 5 you can't say you don't "value" those players... If the Pats trade back this year it will be because they got a ton, or they'll stand in the spot and take Chris Long...
Posts: 110,768

12-15-2007, 05:02 PM	#154
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2657050	And the Chiefs thought Henderson was to tall..... A guy like Sims draws flags from me right away..he played next to a great player, he wasn't the best his team mate was....... Not to mention he moved up after the season ended...to me playing means more than workouts unless some guy has a huge red flag like being overly slow.
Posts: 110,768

12-15-2007, 05:04 PM	#155
CupidStunt offense > defense Join Date: Jul 2005 Casino cash: $2563332	This thread:
Posts: 8,904

12-15-2007, 06:07 PM	#159
Messier MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Casino cash: $10005050	No! No more chasing DT's. Lets' see what Tyler can do in his second year. Dt's many times grow into their roles. Hanesworth sucked for almost four years before the light went on. No. Boone is a good DT and we can look for more in FA, but a DT taken in the 1st round will be a wasted pick IMO.
Posts: 7,610

12-15-2007, 06:11 PM	#160
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Ouch. When asked about lack of PT for the rookies, Herm allows, "It’s because the games have been so close. We feel like we can’t allow teams to have one or two big plays on us. You get nervous about that some." I ask you. Is that a "rebuilding" mentality? FAX
Posts: 44,492

12-15-2007, 08:18 PM	#162
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $2358752	Wow this thread is freaking hilarous. Those who dont think we need a DT are basically blind. A DT will be a better selection in the top 5 more than likely and its position of need heck outside of hmm maybe running back we need BPA. Tank has a chance to be a good DT, but I think McBride is going to be a John Browning type.
Posts: 49,569